Starbucks

I really enjoy going to Starbucks, and am guilty of indulging in their seasonal drinks and the rare frappuccino. I don’t think I am wrong to anticipate the same drink quality and level of service at any Starbucks, regardless of which one I go to.
I’ll start by saying that I like the atmosphere of this Starbucks. It is nice and cozy, and a good place to have coffee with friends before checking out a movie at the Park Theater. This Starbucks is also really busy at weird times (as other reviewers mention). However, the drink quality here is always lacking. I don’t know if it is because of inexperienced staff, or poor management, or if there is another issue. My husband and I have gone on many occasions and we have always been disappointed in our drinks. If we walk down the hill to the Starbucks at City Center mall, the drink quality will be infinitely better.
I like the atmosphere, but this Starbucks is really inferior to many other Starbucks in the Vancouver area. I suggest you go elsewhere for your coffee fix.

I’m not sure why but this location seems to really enjoy hiring people that look like they a) don’t give a damn, b) don’t like you, c) seems pissed off or d) all of the above.
I’m not not the pickiest when it comes to my drink, except for one thing: I hate foam. I hate the taste of it and to be honest, I hate how sometimes they give you a cup of foam with a dollop of latte. Not sure why that costs 5.00. So please when I ask for no foam, don’t insult me by pretending to scoop out foam or start to lecture me about the impossibility of getting a drink without it. I’ve gone to other locations before and they manage to do it without glaring at me. And here’s a helpful tip other baristas from other Starbucks have shared: let the drink you’re making sit for a min. The super froth will die down, making it easier to poor sans foam.

So they made my frap, but after he was done the guy tipped it over. Instead of starting again, he just shoveled some of it back in and covered up the deficit with whip cream. When I half-​jokingly asked if I could get a buck off (mostly so that he would ask me if I was willing to accept a spilt drink) I got the trademark Vancouver blank stare/​glare. :(

Most convenience coffee shops, almost everywhere…
I’m ok with the coffee even though they are not the best.
This location always busy but the service was real quick.

I came in to order 1 soy latte and 2 venti java chip frapps. I asked the man on cash to add an extra scoop of java chips to each of the frapps, since every other store that I have been to (richmond, burnaby, north vancouver) would allow me to have that without an extra charge. Being as anal and dingy as he was, he decided to charge me 75 cents +HST (for each of the ventis) for one very tiny scoop (about ½ tsp) of java chips. I confronted him, and I told him that everyone else lets me have an extra scoop of java chips, and plus, I am purchasing $ 11 worth of ice, synthetic syrup, and milk (quantities in that order). The server kept on arguing with me, and I was like okay fine, do not add the extra scoop of java chips, because I am not going to spend another $ 2 for java chips. I called the store a day after, and spoke to the supervisor (the manager wasn’t there), and explained the situation to him. The supervisor ensured me that the manager would call me back, in which he never did. Also, whenever you go to this Starbucks in the afternoon, their jugs of milk are always empty and the counters are very sticky. This location NEVER makes any of the frapps taste good, its always missing something, either too much ice or not enough syrup.

Evilyn is right. This place is crazy busy at the strangest times of day. The line are NY long and move NY slow, too. I don’t think I’ve been to a busier SB in Van.
The chocolate chip muffin was stale and barely edible, and in truth, I gave up eating pastries here a long time ago. Note: remember not to order them on a Sunday, as I’m pretty sure that they don’t get a fresh delivery.
Trying to stay off caffeine for a bit, so I opted for a looseleaf green tea. The looseleaf is a new concept at SB and a grande clocked out at $ 2. Much cheaper than the lattes and the Tazo brand they carry is quite good.
There was ample seating facing the street on a sunny afternoon. The baristas were pleasant in spite of their demands.
So, I’d only go here when not in a rush, especially around 2 pm on a weekend, when maybe, no one cares to rush – including the baristas.

Particularly competent and friendly staff. Nice reno done in August 2010.

I try to avoid this Starbucks as much as I can. Everytime I set foot in this location, I end up waiting for at least 20 minutes to get a latte. It’s beyond ridiculous at this point. The thing is, I don’t even go in there during their busy times, you know like 8am, or 9am when people are grabbing one on their way to work. If I decide to go for a coffee, its in the mid-​afternoon, like maybe 2pm. Obviously I am not the only one who goes there at this time though, because there is ALWAYS a line, and never enough staff to get me in and out of there like I hope to be. Its actually painful for me to be in there because I can feel my legs getting rigamortis from standing in line for so long. For the love of God, please staff your store accordingly!

One of the more pleasant Starbucks along Cambie Street, the staff are great and the area is easy to find parking in. I am in the neighbourhood once in a while and drop by. Keep up the good service.